Orthodontic appliance



D 1941- A. B. BRUSSE ETAL 2,265,420 I ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE Filed 001:.30, 1939 Pry. 5A.

ARCH/E 5. 590.385 F/PA/VC/d' MGODDA/PD T BY. @xW Z ATTORNEYS PatentedDec. 9, 1941 ORTHODONTIC APPLIANCE Archie B. Brusse and Francis M.Goddard, Denver, 0010., assignors to Rocky Mountain Metal Products 00.,Denver, 0010., a corporation of Colorado Application October 30, 1939,Serial No. 302,012

3 Claims. (CI. 32-14) This invention relates to improvements inorthodontic appliances. The present invention is a further developmentover the patent to A. B. Brusse et al., issued December 1, 1936, No.2,062,395.

The principal object of this invention is to pro vide an improved meansfor fastening the arch wire to a tooth band.

The improved means is advantageous in that it serves its intendedpurposemore efiiciently, at the same time is more economical to manufacture andto use than the devices of the prior art.

Another object is to provide in appliances of this type, means toprevent inadvertent rotation of the arch wires.

Other objects and advantages reside in details of design andconstruction which will be more fully disclosed in the followingdescription and in the drawing wherein like parts have been similarlydesignated and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective illustration of a double snap channel bracket,which is drawn on a scale considerably, larger than the manufacturedarticle, and which embodies the present inventive concept;

Figure 2 is a perspective illustration of a single snap channel bracketmade according to the present invention; 7

Figure 3 is a front elevation of a channel bracket of the type showninFigure 1, mounted upon a tooth band, and drawn to a smaller scale thanFigures 1 and 2; I I

Figure 4 is an end, elevation of either the bracket shown in Figure 1 orthat shown in Figure 2, as it would appear with two arch wires inposition therein, shown in cross section, together with an arch wirelock made according to this invention;

Figure 5 is an end elevation of either the bracket shown in Figure 1 orthat shown in Figure 2, as it would appear with a single arch wire shownin position in cross section;

Figure 6 is a plan view of an arch wire lock that is well suited to beused with the type of channel bracket shown in Figur l, and drawn toabout that scale;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary plan view of a strip of metal that has beenfabricated into a plurality of joined but separable arch wire locks suchas that shown in Figure 4;

Figure 8 illustrates a metallic strip that has been fabricated into aseries of joined but separable arch wire locks of the type shown inFigure 6; I r

Figure 8A is a cross section taken along th line 8A8A of Figure 8;

Figure 9 is a front elevation illustrating a band in place on a toothand provided with an arch wire channel bracket of the type shown inFigure 2, and drawn to a smaller scale; and

Figure 10 is a front elevation of a band in place on a tooth andprovided with an arch wire channel bracket of the double type asillustrated in Figure 1, drawn on a reduced scale.

The general organization of the present or-.

thodontic appliances is similar to others now in use and well-known tothose skilled in the art in that the basic elements of anchor bandspreferably positioned around molar teeth, provide anchorage for archwires which in turn are used I to apply force in the desired directionto other teeth to be straightened, guided, or treated, through theintermediary of other bands on the treated teeth that are connected withthe arch wire or wires by improved means in which the present inventiveconcept resides.

The double type arch wire channel bracket illustrated in Figure 1,comprises two alined pairs of complementary converging folds 42 onopposite.

sides of which are integral flanges l3 which serve as means forattaching the bracket to the band. The space I4 between the alined pairsof channel folds and between the flanges l3, preferably is cut out tofacilitate fabrication and to improve the function of the channel.

The channel bracket preferably is made of alloy steel such as a steelalloy containing chromium, which resists rust, stain and corrosion, andlends itself well to spot welding which is the preferred means ofattaching the bracket to the band. Such an alloy also provides a factorof resilience in the complementary upstanding folds l2, which is highlydesirable. The same material is also preferred for the bands.

It will be understood that the channel brackets herein illustrated anddescribed may, however, be made of any desired material such as gold orsilver or alloys thereof. Soldering may be used as the means forattaching the brackets to the bandsif the brackets and/or the bands aremade of complementary converging folds I2, at opposite sides of whichare integral flanges I3a.

The upstanding complementary converging folds I2, in both types ofbrackets; define a I channel I5, the bottom I6 of which is in a planeslightly above that of the flanges I3 or I 311. As a consequence of thisparticular construction, the bottom I6 of the channels I5 will be spacedaway from the tooth band when the channels are mounted thereupon. bottomof the channels I5 away from the tooth band is for a particular-purposethat will be hereinafter set forth. i V

Figure 3 illustrates a typical tooth band I I upon which has beenmounted a double type arch wire channel bracket of the type shown inFigure 1, by means of four spot welds I8. If the metal of the bandand/or the bracket is not amenable to spot welding, then other meanssuch as soldering may be used for mounting the bracket upon the band. 11 l After a bracket, either of the type shown in Figure .l or that shownin Figure 2, is mounted upon a tooth band as shown in Figure ,4, thenarch wires are placed in thechannel I5 as well understood by thoseskilled in the art.

Figure 4 illustrates two small arch wires I 9 that are held in place bya special arch wire lock 20, which lock comprises a cylindrical cen--The ter portion 2| and fiat wider portions 22. cylindrical portion 2| isof the proper length and diameter to snap or spring into positionbetween This spacing of the the upper extremities of the complementaryconverging folds I2, thus positioning the flat wider ends 22 firmlyagainst the arch wires I9 and just beyond the opposite ends of thechannelforming folds I2, v v

The arch wire lock 20 is particularly fabri-v cated to cooperate withthe channel brackets and the fiat wider ends 22 :have a surface that issubstantially flush with .a surface of the. central cylindrical portionof the lock so that said surface of the flat wide ends of the lock willfirmly contact the arch' wires "I9, holding them against inadvertentmovement from the channel and also holding them against unwantedrotation.

Figure 5 illustrates the end View of either the bracket shown in'Figure1 or that shown in Figure 2, containing one larger arch wire I9a. Due tothe size of the arch wire I9a with reference to the spacing of theupstanding complementary converging folds I 2, the wire snaps or springsinto place in the channel I5 requiring no additional lock. 2 V

Figure 6 illustrates an arch wire lockthat is specifically designed tocooperate with the double channel bracket 'of Figure 1. The arch wirelock of Figure 6 comprises cylindrical end portions 23 and aycentralfiat wider portion 24, a surface of which is substantially flush withsurfaces of the cylindrical end portions 23,

The diameter of the end portions 23 with reference to the spacing of thecomplementary converging channel-forming folds I2, is such that theportions 23' can besnapped or'sprung into position over the arch wiresI9, bringing the flat wider portion 24 of the lock into firm contactwith the wires in the space between the alined pairs of folds I2. Thislock securely holds the wires I9 from inadvertent movement from thechannel I5 and prevents unwanted rotation of the arch wires I 9.

Figure 7 illustrates a preferred method of fabrication of the arch wirelocks shown in Figure 4, wherein an original bar of material havingacircular cross section, is fabricated into 1 a plurality of locks 20,each having a cylindrical center portion 21 and fiat wider portions 22.Across the fiat wider portions are scores 25 which make it easilypossible for a user to separate the individual looks from the strip asrequired for use. The operator merely breaks off a complete lockfrom thestrip at the score 25 next adjacent the end of the strip. Arch wirelocks of the type illustrated in Figures 4 and 7 may be used with eitherthe double channel bracket of Figure 1 or the single channel bracket ofFigure 2. The length of the cylindrical portion2l,

which determines the spacing of the fiat wider end portions 22, is suchthat when the cylindrical portion is snapped or sprung into a channel I5between the complementary converging folds I2, then the flat wider endportions 22 will be;

positioned immediately adjacent opposite ends of the channel I5 bearingon the arch wires running through the channel.

Figure 8 illustrates a preferred method of fab ricating the arch wirelocks as. shown in Figure 6, wherein a piece of stock material havingacircular cross section is scored and fabricated to produce a series oflocks, each having cylindrical end portions 23 and a fiat wider centralportion 24. into the material across the cylindrical portions thereof,so that an operator readily may separate an individual look from thestrip by breaking it off at the score nearest the end of the- Figure 8Aillustrates the feature that the cen tral fiat wide portion 24 of thewire lockof Figure 6 has a surface which is substantially flush withsurfaces of the cylindrical end portions 23 of said locks. I

Figure 9 illustrates a band I! that is positioned upon a typical toothto be treated, indi cated by reference character 21. A single channelbracket having complementary converging folds I2, of the typeillustrated in Figure 2, is

shown attachedto the band as by spot welds I8. A single arch wire I9a issnapped or sprung into the undercut channel between the complemen taryconverging folds I2, where it will remain securely without additionallocking.

Figure 10 illustrates a typical tooth band I! mounted upon a tooth 21. Adouble channel bracket of the type illustrated in Figure 1, is hereillustrated as attached to the band IT as by spot welds I8. Two smallarch wires I9 pass,

through the channels provided by the alined pairs of complementaryconverging folds I2. An

arch wire lock of the type shown in Figure 6,

has its end portions 23 snapped or sprung into j Transverse scores 26arecutthe alined channels over the arch wires l9, thus positioning theflat wider central portion 24 of the lock securely against the wires l9intermediate the alined pairs of channel-forming folds [2. As aconsequence of the positioning of the lock in the channel bracket overthe arch wires, said wires will be securely held in the bracket againstinadvertent movement therefrom or unwanted rotation therein.

It will be manifest that the small double arch wires [9 or the largersingle arch wire I9a may optionally be used with either channel bracketas illustrated in Figure 1 or Figure 2. Since the material of thebrackets from which the upstanding complementary converging folds I2 aremade, is preferably resilient, the various arch wire locks and the largearch wire 19a readily may be snapped or sprung in position between thecomplementary converging folds I2. Likewise, the arch wire locks and thelarge single arch wire l9a may, when desired, be removed from thechannels l5.

The relationship of the parts as hereinbefore set forth is such thatwhen the appliance is positioned upon the teeth of a patient, it willremain in position without accidental movement. If, for any reason, itis desired to place a tie wire around the arch wire and the bracket,such a tie wire may be inserted in the space between the band 11 and thebottom l6 of the channel l5, as illustrated in Figure .4, and thenbrought around over the arch wire and twisted or tied.

The space between the central bottom portion l6 of the bracket, and theband I! provides means whereby a tie wire may be inserted diagonallybetween the bracket and the band and fastened around over the arch wirefor optional or additional security in the anchorage of said arch wireto the bracket. Furthermore, by having the bottom I6 of the bracketraised above the flanges I3, a solid bearing contact of said flanges l3upon the tooth band I! is assured, because thus is provided a two-pointcontact of the bracket on the band.

A further advantage in this construction, best illustrated in Figure 4,is that added factors of flexibility and resilience are attained byhaving the central bottom portion N of the bracket entirely out ofcontact or any possible contact with the tooth band.

The complementary converging folds l2 that form the channels l5 areadvantageous for several reasons. In the first place, thus folding themetal of which the channel brackets are made, is a highly eflicientmethod of fabrication. The folds 12 being of double thickness of metal,provide an essential factor of strength in these brackets, and at thesame time the folds are desirably resilient.

Furthermore, since the complementary converging folds l2 are an integralpart of the flanges l3 or I3a, the entire channel bracket is secure withno danger of separation of the channel from the flanges. The flanges l3and I3a provide an optimum means for securing the brackets upon thetooth band.

As above pointed out, the double channel bracket of Figure l and alsothe single channel bracket of Figure 2, may be fabricated in scoredstrips for individual separation at the time of their use. Obviously,either style of channel bracket may be fabricated as a single unit ifpreferred.

Thus the stated objects of the invention are fully accomplished in thatthe improved channel brackets and the improved arch wire locks provide anew and better means of fastening the arch wire to the tooth band in anorthodontic appliance. And the various parts that cooperate to producethe improved results, are fabricated in an unusually efficient manner.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In an orthodontic appliance inclusive of a tooth band and an archwire, a resilient channel bracket on the band for the wire havingcomplementary converging sides, and an anchor for the wire in thechannel having a central portion of a size to spring into the channeland having widened ends positioned outside the ends of the channel overthe wire.

2. In an orthodontic appliance inclusive of a tooth band and an archwire, a resilient channel bracket on the band for the wire havingcomplementary converging sides, and an anchor for the wire in thechannel having a central cylindrical portion of a size to spring intothe channel and having widened flat ends positioned outside the ends ofthe channel over the wire.

3. In an orthodontic appliance, inclusive of a resilient channel bracketmounted on an orthodontic band, the improvement which comprises havingthe channel bracket formed with complementary converging folds spacedapart at their extremities, and having a portion connecting said foldsand maintained in spaced relation to the band, whereby an arch wire oflarger diameter than the channel entrance may be forced thereinto, andan anchor for the wire in the channel having a central portion of a sizeto spring into the channel and having widened ends positioned outsidethe ends of the channel over the wire.

ARCHIE B. BRUSSE. FRANCIS M. GODDARD.

